Jindal reappoints majority of Lafourche Parish's levee board

By Jeremy AlfordCapitol Correspondent

Published: Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 6:50 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 6:50 p.m.

BATON ROUGE — Five of the nine board members who oversee the North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District have been granted another term by Gov. Bobby Jindal while a new appointment is beginning his first year in office.

Although most political boards experience regular turnover, Dwayne Bourgeois, executive director of the local district, said the composition of the levee board remains largely unchanged.

“We have a very good board right now,” he said. “They’re dedicated to the work, and they literally work hours on end to help protect the residents of the district.”

Of the six Jindal appointed last week, Joseph Clement of Chackbay is the newest face on the board.

Falgout, a business consultant, has turned his attention to the South Central Industrial Association, where he was recently named president.

“It was his own decision to step down,” Bourgeois said.

While the governor appoints the members, nominations come from various sources.

For example, one member is selected from nominations submitted by each of the six state legislators representing the levee district as well as from the president of Lafourche Parish, the mayor of Thibodaux and the mayor of Lockport.

— Cory Kief of Thibodaux, the general manager of Doucet and Adams Inc.

— Larry Maronge of Thibodaux, the owner of Venetian Bar and Doughnut Inc.

— Kenney Matherne of Lockport, a designer and modeler for John Deere of Thibodaux

In March, Jindal also appointed Tim Allen of Houma, a general manager for Apache Corp, to replace former board member Keith Barker.

“As we understand it, the governor should be reappointing the two others pretty soon,” Bourgeois said, referring to current board members George W. Broussard of Lockport and the Rev. Nolan Smith Jr. of Raceland.

According to state law, the Board of Commissioners for the North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District is responsible for “maintaining the integrity of the levees and maintaining the levee drainage system within Lafourche Parish, north of the Intracoastal Canal.”

In the coming months and years, Bourgeois said the board’s biggest challenges will involve money.

The entire district has been divided up into eight project areas, he added, and there are six to 10 projects identified for each.

The overall price tag is expected to eclipse $200 million.

The district’s income from property taxes, however, is only about $3 million annually.

Although the district can secure money from the state and federal government, Bourgeois said that is becoming increasingly difficult.

“We do have an opportunity to put up to a 1-cent sales tax to voters, so a big part of what the board will be doing in the near future is deciding whether we should do that,” he said.

On the horizon, Bourgeois said the recently seated board will likewise be overseeing a new review process for projects that increases transparency and accountability.

<p>BATON ROUGE — Five of the nine board members who oversee the North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District have been granted another term by Gov. Bobby Jindal while a new appointment is beginning his first year in office. </p><p>Although most political boards experience regular turnover, Dwayne Bourgeois, executive director of the local district, said the composition of the levee board remains largely unchanged. </p><p>“We have a very good board right now,” he said. “They're dedicated to the work, and they literally work hours on end to help protect the residents of the district.” </p><p>Of the six Jindal appointed last week, Joseph Clement of Chackbay is the newest face on the board. </p><p>Jindal appointed Clement to replace former Port Fourchon director Ted Falgout.</p><p>Falgout, a business consultant, has turned his attention to the South Central Industrial Association, where he was recently named president.</p><p>“It was his own decision to step down,” Bourgeois said. </p><p>While the governor appoints the members, nominations come from various sources. </p><p>For example, one member is selected from nominations submitted by each of the six state legislators representing the levee district as well as from the president of Lafourche Parish, the mayor of Thibodaux and the mayor of Lockport.</p><p>Jindal's most recent reappointments included: </p><p>— Ronald Adams of Thibodaux, the manager of Ronald Adams Contractors Inc. </p><p>— Lonny Babin of Larose, the owner of The Yard Store, LLC</p><p>— Cory Kief of Thibodaux, the general manager of Doucet and Adams Inc. </p><p>— Larry Maronge of Thibodaux, the owner of Venetian Bar and Doughnut Inc.</p><p>— Kenney Matherne of Lockport, a designer and modeler for John Deere of Thibodaux</p><p>In March, Jindal also appointed Tim Allen of Houma, a general manager for Apache Corp, to replace former board member Keith Barker. </p><p>“As we understand it, the governor should be reappointing the two others pretty soon,” Bourgeois said, referring to current board members George W. Broussard of Lockport and the Rev. Nolan Smith Jr. of Raceland. </p><p>According to state law, the Board of Commissioners for the North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District is responsible for “maintaining the integrity of the levees and maintaining the levee drainage system within Lafourche Parish, north of the Intracoastal Canal.”</p><p>In the coming months and years, Bourgeois said the board's biggest challenges will involve money. </p><p>The entire district has been divided up into eight project areas, he added, and there are six to 10 projects identified for each. </p><p>The overall price tag is expected to eclipse $200 million. </p><p>The district's income from property taxes, however, is only about $3 million annually. </p><p>Although the district can secure money from the state and federal government, Bourgeois said that is becoming increasingly difficult. </p><p>“We do have an opportunity to put up to a 1-cent sales tax to voters, so a big part of what the board will be doing in the near future is deciding whether we should do that,” he said.</p><p>On the horizon, Bourgeois said the recently seated board will likewise be overseeing a new review process for projects that increases transparency and accountability.</p><p>Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.</p>